In a heartfelt conversation with Ultimate Classic Rock, Rickey Medlocke, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s long-standing member, shed light on the band’s early farewell intentions and their subsequent choice to forge ahead after Gary Rossington‘s passing. His candid remarks in the interview offered a glimpse into the band’s decision to move forward while respecting the late musician’s wishes.
As the last founding member of the iconic band, Rossington’s death left fans and bandmates pondering Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s destiny, and after some discussions, the band resolved to carry on. But Medlocke recently revealed that they had different plans for the band before the guitarist passed away.
He expounded that the initial plan was to cease heavy touring in light of Rossington’s deteriorating health. The focus would shift to recording, residencies, and selective gigs instead of perpetual touring.
The musician stated:
“The one mitigating factor in this whole thing was the fact that [Rossington] had developed a very bad heart problem. He underwent quintuple bypass surgery [in 2003]. Over time, you know, his heart just got weaker and weaker. We decided to do the farewell tour, and 2020 was going to be the last year of what we considered heavy touring.
That’s what we wanted to pull back on. We’d made the decision that we were going to keep recording and that we would probably do residencies and specialty gigs here and there. But the days of the real heavy, on-the-road-all-of-the-time [touring], that would be done.”
Back in 2017, Rossington asserted that he didn’t envision the band continuing after his departure, as it would lack meaning without the presence of original members. Yet, Medlocke’s recent account implied that Rossington altered his stance over time, eventually granting his blessing for the band to persevere.
The musician divulged that they embraced Rossington’s benediction to seek a substitute for him following the 2021 pandemic. The band was eager to fulfill their obligations and continue making music with the approval of the late guitarist.
His words on the matter went as follows:
“Unfortunately, along comes COVID, and that shut us down. Well, it shut everybody down. We had [about] 65 shows to do that year, and we actually ended up doing the first two, and then the country gets shut down. We were off for 15 months, and that was very hard.
The band, the crew, and everybody was really, you know, going through it. When 2021 came around, stuff started opening up. We took on gigs as the summer was coming in. With [Rossington’s] blessing, we [realized] it was time to get someone to cover for him – you know, because we had obligations.”
Medlocke also broached the subject of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s future in more depth, stating:
“Now, from this point, going forward, it’s going to be interesting. We’re [carrying on] with the blessings of everybody, Dale [Rossington] and the estates – all of the people that are involved. They want to see the music continue.”
With Gary Rossington’s endorsement, Lynyrd Skynyrd has embarked upon a fresh chapter in their illustrious history. The band’s unwavering commitment to honoring Rossington’s desires, coupled with the support from the estates and the remaining members, signals a dedication to keeping the essence of Lynyrd Skynyrd alive and thriving.
As they navigate this new era, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s enduring spirit will continue to captivate fans and uphold the legacy that Rossington and the other original members established. With the blessings of those who have been part of the journey, the band’s music will undoubtedly resonate for generations to come.
